Airplane



C. E. STACY.

' AIRPLANE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, I9l8.

1,811,097. PatentedJu1y'22, 1919.,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- C. E. STACY.

Patented July 22, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THBEOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 10.. WASHINGTON; 0,. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. cHARLEsE. STACY, or DAYTON, OHIO.

To all aviwm it mag concern Be itknown that I, CHARLES E. 'SrAoY, a citizen of the- United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Airplanes, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to=i1nprovementsin airplanes of tliebi alanetype. The object of the invention is to provide an airplane having the property of self-balancing or inherent stability. This is accomplished-by means of control planes constructed and arranged relatively to the main sustaining planes so as to achieve the above object. The

controlling system is what may be termed a diagonal axis control. Other objects are attained, due to the use of the control planes, briefly stated, such as the concentration of weight to the center of the machine; the possibility of constructing very light plane extremities which enable the machine to be alert; and a control system free from connecting wires and pulleys whereby lost motion between the control stick and the movement of the control planes is avoided.

Preceding a particular description of my invention reference in general "terms is first made to the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is a plan view of an airplane embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the controlling devices, parts of the control planes and spars being broken away and the outline of portions of the planes appearing in broken lines. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the controlling devices, parts appearing in section and parts of the control plane spars broken off.

In a particular description of the invention similar reference letters indicate the same parts in the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the two main views, AA designate the two main sustaining planes constructed of material best adapted to the requirements, the same being supported and connected by means of struts a and cross brace wires 6 and attached to a fuselage or central body B, said fuselage supporting the engine and propeller in the usual way. The control wings or planes CC which constitute the invention may be of any suitable shape to serve their purpose. In the drawings they are shown of oblong form, some- Specification of Letters Patent. 1 Application filed May 27, 1918.

AIRPLANE.

Patented July 22, 1919. Serial No. 236,744.

what resembling a canoepaddle in that they gradually increase in width as their length progresses. In the drawings two of these control planes are shown. The number of these controlling planes may, however, be increased in the case of very large ships. The said control planes are made of light frame work covered with fabric treated with what is called dope in common shop parlance, otherwise known as a particular varnish which imparts a waterproof and air-tight character to the plane surfaces. The said control planes each have a spar D extending the length thereof and forming the longitudinal axis thereof. The positions of the control planes relative to the main planes are substantially as shown in Fig. 1, their inner ends extending approximately to the center of the machine. The inner ends of the control plane spars D are mounted in thrust ball-bearings E in a manner that allows said control planes to turn freely the axes D running through their lengths, said control planes extending outwardly from the center of the machine and drifting rearwardly on diagonal lines with the lateral axis of the machine. The back sweep of the control planes may be varied more or less according to the special design of the airplane in general, and they may be slightly elevated or lowered as they sweep backwardly as compared to the line of propeller thrust. As before stated they are supported by means of thrust ball-bearings which are in turn fastened to the top of the fuselage or other centrally located frame work of the machine, and by means of tie or brace wires 0 connected to the control plane spars at several points and running to suitable points (Z on the machine in a manner to hold said control planes rigid and at the same time allow them to turn something over a quarter revolution, on their axes. The inner ends of the controlling plane spars D extend through the thrust ball-bearings E and have attached to them by means of clamps, lever-arms F which extend downward in such manner that when the control planes are rocked on their axes the said lever-arms will move to and fro. The said lever-arms F are fastened firmly to the control plane spars D and to the lower ends of said lever-arms are connected arms G which are provided with ball and socket joints H or other suitable antifrietion joints which connect the lower and ends of the lever-arms F to the control stick I about one-third the length of the control stick from the floor J of the fuselage. The control stick I is connected to the floor by a ball and socket joint K which allows it to have a universal movement in all directions. A movement of the control stick backward \vill similarly move the control planes, and a movement of said control stick sidewise will cause a reversal of the control planes. If the control stick is moved forward or backward as above indicated, the control planes act in the capacity of an elevator, and if moved sidewise they act in the capacity of a combination of rudder and ailerons. The control planes provide the craft with an inherent self-righting capacity thereby allowing concentration of weight Copies of this patent may be obtainedior and rendering it possible to build comparatively light Wing tips as hereinbefore stated. I-Iavingdescribed my invention I claim: In an airplane, control planes separate from the main planes and attached to the airplane centrally and extending diagonally rearwardly, and at other points by means of Wires, said control planes extending outwardly and drifting rearWardly on a level with the thrust line of the propeller, and being capable of turning on axes extending through their" lengths, and means for manually controlling the turning of the control planes from a pllot seat, said means including levers interposed between the control stick and the control planes.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature.

CHARLES E. STACY.

five cents each, by, addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

